Bulgaria has taken another significant step toward modernizing its air defense capabilities. Under the contract signed with the U.S. in 2019, two more F-16 Block 70 fighter jets have landed at the Third Air Base – Graf Ignatievo. With this latest delivery, the number of F-16s in Bulgaria’s inventory has reached six, while officials reported that the first phase of the contract will be completed by 2026 and that infrastructure work for pilot training is accelerating.
According to a statement by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, the new-generation F-16 Block 70 fighter jets were received at the base by Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, and representatives of the U.S. mission. This delivery demonstrates Bulgaria’s commitment to modernizing its Air Force and aligning with NATO standards.
Delivery Schedule and Final Fleet Target
Defense Minister Zapryanov noted that deliveries are proceeding in accordance with the agreement reached with the U.S. Government. Following the delivery of the first four aircraft, the arrival of the final two brings the total number of aircraft delivered to six. Zapryanov noted that they expect the final two aircraft under the initial contract to be delivered by the end of the year and that the first batch of eight fighter jets will be fully completed by around 2026.
Bulgaria’s long-term goal is to equip its air force with a modern fleet of 16 F-16 fighter jets, following the completion of a second contract. Once the new aircraft arrive in the country bearing the U.S. Air Force insignia, they will undergo technical and flight acceptance procedures and be added to the inventory shortly thereafter.
Pilot Training and Infrastructure Development Accelerated
Along with the delivery of the aircraft, pilot training and the preparation of base infrastructure are also among the top priorities. Minister Zapryanov emphasized that intensive efforts are being made at the Third Air Base—Graf Ignatievo—to provide comprehensive training opportunities for pilots.
Regarding infrastructure work, Zapryanov stated, “We currently have 17 new projects for the base’s infrastructure that we will complete in 2024 and 2025, and 17 more projects are in the approval process. More importantly, we have significantly accelerated the construction of the building where the flight simulator will be installed, because having a simulator is just as vital to our pilots’ training as purchasing aircraft,” he said.
Major General Nikolay Rusev, Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, noted that pilot training must be completed before the F-16s can begin combat operations. Sharing that there are currently six pilots certified to fly the F-16, Rusev noted that only two of them have completed full training on Bulgaria’s specific F-16 Block 70 model. Rusev added that the other four pilots, who trained on older F-16 models in the U.S., must complete additional flight hours to adapt to the new Block 70s. These intensive training and infrastructure investments indicate that Bulgaria aims to bring its air defense capabilities up to full operational level in a short period of time.
